Door frame clip



June 15, 1965 D. A. HARRIS 3,139,137

' DOOR FRAME CLIP Filed Jan. 8, 1962 v '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 INVENTOR. Fig. 2 David A. Harris ATTORNEY June 15, 1965 D. A. HARRIS 3,189,137

noon FRAME CLIP Filed Jan. 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. David A. Harris ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,189,137 DOOR FRAME CLIP David A. Harris, Tonawanda, N.Y., assignor to National Gypsum Company, Buffalo, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 164,795 6 Claims. (Cl. 189-36) This invention relates to affixing metal channel, such as metal door frames, and a partition extending thereinto, and particularly to a novel clip for lockingly engaging a partition edge within a channel.

Heretofore several methods have been used to affix edge portions of partitions within the standard outwardly opening, channel-form metal doors frames. One common prior method includes welding a plurality of plates into the interior of the channel, which plates have straps extending outwardly from the channel suitably arranged to be stapled or nailed to the core or the lath portion of a partition. Another prior method is to merely hold the edge of the core or lath portion within the channel while filling the void in the channel with a suitable settable grout. Also, a combination of these two methods may be employed to attain the benefits of both.

Welding of plates, with straps, is a relatively costly and time consuming method, but provides a stable structure both during fabrication and during the subsequent life of the structure. Using merely grout to aflix the partition edge within the door frame is relatively unstable and awkward during fabrication, but results in a solid and stable finished structure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel clip for aflixing partition edges in channels such as door frames, which, without grouting, is far simpler and less costly than the prior welded plate and strap method with equivalent stability, and which, when used in combination with grouting, results in only an insignificantly increased cost of material, far outweighed by the simplification it provides in the grouting process, when the more solid and stable structure provided by grouting is desired.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved combination structure of door frame and partition.

It is a still further object to provide a novel method of attaching door frames to partition edge portions,

These and other objects of the invention will be more readily apparent when considered in relation to the preferred embodiment as set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel door frame clip of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a doorway in a section of partition, constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the door frame and solid wallboard partition edge, as taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing the insertion of the novel door frame clip during construction.

FIG. 5 is a sectional viewtsimilar to FIG. 3 of a modified form of the invention with a core and plastered surfaces. I

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar. to FIG. 5 of a further modified form of the invention .in a hollow partition.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown the novel door frame clip 10, which is formed from a rectangular piece of thin, rigid sheet metal, preferably 18 gauge galvanized steel. Clip 10 includes a relatively long, partition-core engaging body section 12, a core-spacer section 14 extendingv perpendicularly from one end of the body section 12, and a short clip-spacer section 16 extending at approximately a 60 angle from the end of the corespacer section 14 opposite to the body-section 12. A side view of the clip 10 thus presents a generally J-shape with the short vertical leg of the I turned slightly inwardly.

The body section 12 has a triangular prong 17, cut on two sides with an apex closely adjacent and directed toward the core-spacer section 14, and bent outwardly from the clip approximately 45 such bend being along the third side of the triangular, prong, spaced away from the core-spacer section 14 and parallel thereto. Body section 12 also includes a hole 18 generally centered in the opposite half of the body section 12 from the corespacer section 14, hole 18 providing means for stapling or nailing the clip 10, as described further below.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the clip 10in a partition doorway structure, wherein a metal door frame 20 of standard construction has the edge portions of the general partition 22 extending into the outwardly opening channel of the door frame. The partition 22 is of the solid partition type and includes, in the preferred form, a central core 24, such as that disclosed in US. Patent 2,884,779 of Buergin and Hovind, with facing material such as gypsum wallboard 26 on the two opposed faces of the core 24.

The core 24 extends into the channel-formed door frame 20, as far as possible, thus abutting the inner wall 23 thereof. The inner wall 28 includes a projecting doorstop portion 39 extending outwardly from the door frame. Extending back toward the partition from each lateral edge of the inner wall 28 is a door frame side wall 32 and extending inwardly from opposite edge of each side wall 32 is a short terminal flange 34, extending to and terminating at the outer face of the wallboard 26. Although the invention is intended primarily for use with metal door frames of the above described sectional structure, it will be seen to be equally applicable with any partition edge channel of generally C-shaped sectional structure having two inwardly directed terminal flanges 84.

The door frame clips 10 are affixed to the two opposite faces ofthe core 24 with the body sections flush with the surface of the core, so that the prongs 17 extend piercingly into the core. A staple 36 extends through the hole 18 of the clip and into the core, affixing the clip to the core 24, however the staple may be eliminated or replaced with a nail or other fastening means.

The core-spacer sections 14, of two opposed clips 10 extend outwardly from the core in their two respective opposed directions, and are of just sufficient length to each abut a respective door frame side wall 32, maintaining the core 24 exactly centered with the door frame channel.

The short, angular, clip-spacer section 16 extends from the line of abutment of the core spacer section 14 and the side wall 32 angularly inwardly from the side wall 32 to the door frame short flange 34, thus'spacing' the clip relative to the door frame such that the core-spacer section is spaced inward of the short flange, whereby wallboard 26 may extend into the door frame channel to a distance whereat it contacts the core-spacer section of the clip, hiding the edge of the wallboard.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of FIG. 3 in the process of being built, with the core 24 extending into the channel to the full depth thereof, and with two opposed clips being started into a locking position, the two clips also being shown, in broken lines, in the ultimate position similar to FIG. 3. As will be seen, the clip-spacer sections 16 are first hooked behind the door frame short flanges 34 while the body sections 12 are directed generally away from the core 24. As will'be apparent from FIG. 4, the clip spacer section 16 must be shorter than the distance from the core 24 to side wall 32, which distance may be defined as the length of core spacer section 14, in order for the clip to be pivoted to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4. The clips are then generally turned, or pivoted, about the clip-spacer sections 16 untilthe body section 12 is substantially flush with the core section. During a last portion of such turning the prong 17 enters the core 24, pushing core material ahead of it, until the clip is completely turned to its final position, shown in broken lines, and in FIG. 3. In the final position the clip maintains the core midway between the door frame sidewalls 32 by means of the perpendicularly extending core-spacer sections 14, and the clip also locks the core into the channel of the door frame by means of the prong 17 piercingly engaging the core.

The clip 10 will thus be seen to be highly simplified and inexpensive while providing, with complete ease and speed of mounting, a final fully stabilized doorway structure.

In the modified form of partition 40 of FIG. 5 the clip 10, door frame 20 and core 24 are combined in the same manner and relation as above described in the partition 22 of FIG. 3, however, instead of wallboard, a plaster wall surface 42 is applied to the core 24, extending into the channel form of the door frame 20. In this modification, the door frame is shown as completely full of grout 44, normally a faster drying coarser plaster than the plaster of the wall surface 42. The fully grouted door frame is substantially more solid than when ungrouted. The grouting may be employed or omitted, however, with either the wallboard type structure, FIG. 3, or the plastered wall type structure, FIG. 5.

The further modification shown in FIG. 6 embodies the clips 10 in a metal door frame 20, of a wider channel form, and known hollow type partition 50. The example of a hollow partition 50, as shown, includes lightweight metal studs 52 at spaced positions therethroughout, and lath sheets 54 affixed to studs 52 by suitable known clip means 56. At the partition edge which extends into the door frame 20, there are two similar studs 52 affixed together by column clips 58 to provide suitable columnar strength essential at a doorway.

The lath sheets 54 extend into the door frame channel the full depth thereof. A novel door frame clip 10, identical in structure to those used in all above described embodiments, is mounted on each side of the partition 50, with the prong 17 extending piercingly into the respective lath sheet 54 on each side, and with the core spacer section 14 and clip spacer section 16 engaged within the door frame 20.

A plaster surface 60 is shown applied over the lath sheets 54 and extending partially within the channel of the door frame 20.

Having completed a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiment of my invention so that those skilled in the art may practice the same, I contemplate that variations may be made without departing from the essence of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A partition edge structure comprising (a) an elongate channel having a cross section of generally C-shape with spaced parallel side walls and inwardly directed terminal flanges forming the two respective side edges of said channel,

(b) a partition core section having an edge thereof disposed within said channel and being of substantially less thickness than the spacing between said terminal flanges, and

(c) a clip on at least one side of said partition core section disposed partially within said channel, said clip being formed from a single sheet of rigid material and comprising (1) :a fiat main body section lying flat against said partition core section, said main body section being formed from one end of said single sheet of rigid material disposed between said core section and a facing material laminated to' said core section,

(2) a core spacer section extending outwardly from the plane of said body section and having an outermost edge contacting and retaining a respective portion of said channel in spaced relation to said partition core section, said spaced relation being greater than the inward extent of said channel terminal flanges, and

(3) a clip spacer section extending inwardly from said outermost edge in a direction toward said body section and having an edge remote from said core spacer section contacting and retaining a respective portion of one of said terminal flanges in spaced relation to said core spacer section, said clip spacer section being of a shorter length than the length of said core spacer section, to permit a pivoted placement of said core spacer section and said clip spacer section within the space formed between said partition core section and the channel.

2. A partition edge structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said partition core section edge is substantially centered in said channel, and wherein one said clip is disposed on each face of said partition core section.

3. A partition edge structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said body section includes means piercingly engaging said partition core section.

4. A partition edge structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said clip body section includes a small portion thereof partially cut therefrom, bent out of the plane of said body section and extending piercingly into said partition core section.

5. A partition edge structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said clip core spacer section extends substantially perpendicularly outwardly from the plane of said body section, and said clip spacer sections extends acutely inwardly from the outermost edge of said core spacer section.

6. A clip, for afiixing a partition edge in a channel having a generally C-shaped cross section with inwardly directed terminal flanges, said clip being formed from a single sheet of rigid material and comprising (1) a fiat main body section adapted to lie flat against a partition core section, said main body section being formed from one end of said single sheet of rigid material for disposition between said core section and a facing material laminated to said core section,

(2) a core spacer section extending outwardly from the plane of said body section and having an outermost edge adapted to contact and retain a respective portion of said channel in spaced relation to said partition core section,

(3) a clip spacer section extending inwardly from said outermost edge in a direction toward said body section and having an edge remote from said core spacer section adapted to contact and retain a respective portion of one of said terminal flanges in spaced relation to said core spacer section, said clip spacer section being of a shorter length than the length of said core spacer section, to permit a pivoted placement of said core spacer section and said clip spacer section within the space formed between a partition core section and the channel, and

(4) :a relatively small portion of said body section partially cut therefrom and bent out of the plane of said body section in a direction opposite to the extent of said core spacer section for piercingly engaging a partition core section surface disposed inwardly thereagainst.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,282,624 5/42 Upson 503l7 X 2,282,631 5/ 42 Winship 503l7 X 2,582,765 1/52 Brew l89--46 2,665,780 l/54 Hammitt et al. 18935 2,869,695 1/59 Herr 18946 RICHARD W. COOKE, JR., Primary Examiner.

JOEL REZNEK, JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Examiners. 

1. A PARTITION EDGE STRUCTURE COMPRISING (A) AN ELONGATE CHANNEL HAVING A CROSS SECTION OF GENERALLY C-SHAPE WITH SPACED PARALLEL SIDE WALLS AND INWARDLY DIRECTED TERMINAL FLANGES FORMING THE TWO RESPECTIVE SIDE EDGES OF SAID CHANNEL, (B) A PARTITION CORE SECTION HAVING AN EDGE THEREOF DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CHANNEL AND BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THICKNESS THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID TERMINAL FLANGES, AND (C) A CLIP ON AT LEAST ONE SIDE OF SAID PARTITION CORE SECTION DISPOSED PARTIALLY WITHIN SAID CHANNEL, SAID CLIP BEING FORMED FROM A SINGLE SHEET OF RIGID MATERIAL AND COMPRISING (1) A FLAT MAIN BODY SECTION LYING FLAT AGAINST SAID PARTITION CORE SECTION, SAID MAIN BODY SECTION BEING FORMED FROM ONE END OF SAID SINGLE SHEET OF RIGID MATERIAL DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID CORE SECTION AND A FACING MATERIAL LAMINATED TO SAID CORE SECTION, (2) A CORE SPACER SECTION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE PLANE OF SAID BODY SECTION AND HAVING AN OUTERMOST EDGE CONTACTING AND RETAINING A RESPECTIVE PORTION OF SAID CHANNEL IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID PARTITION CORE SECTION, SAID SPACED RELATION BEING GREATER THAN THE INWARD EXTENT OF SAID CHANNEL TERMINAL FLANGES, AND (3) A CLIP SPACER SECTION EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM SAID OUTERMOST EDGE IN A DIRECTION TOWARD SAID BODY SECTION AND HAVING AN EDGE REMOTE FROM SAID CORE SPACER SECTION CONTACTING AND RETAINING A RESPECTIVE PORTION OF ONE OF SAID TERMINAL FLANGES IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID CORE SPACER SECTION, SAID CLIP SPACER SECTION BEING OF A SHORTER LENGTH THAN THE LENGTH OF SAID CORE SPACER SECTION, TO PERMIT A PIVOTED PLACEMENT OF SAID CORE SPACER SECTION AND SAID CLIP SPACER SECTION WITHIN THE SPACE FORMED BETWEEN SAID PARTITION CORE SECTION AND THE CHANNEL. 